7. I am sleeping LION...!!!
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Marcelline reached the bottom of the staircase, her footsteps quiet and full of purpose. She was already imagining Mia curled in a blanket, hair messy, eyes sleepy, waiting for her.
But instead—
A tiny sneeze echoed from halfway up the stairs.
"Ah-choo!"
Marcelline froze.
There she was.
Mia sat on the third step, hair sticking up in every direction, cheeks puffed, still rubbing her eyes with tiny fists. She looked like a half-awake baby owl who had lost its nest.
"Mia…?" Marcelline whispered.
The little girl blinked up at her—once, twice—and then her sleepy expression snapped into sudden excitement.
"AUNTIE ELLI!!!"
Before Marcelline could react, Mia launched herself down the stairs like a tiny missile.
Marcelline panicked—"W-wait, baby—!"—but instinct kicked in. She caught Mia mid-air, spinning slightly from the force.
Mia giggled loudly, tiny arms strangling Marcelline's neck in the tightest hug her tiny body could give.
"I found youuu!" Mia squealed, nuzzling her cheek against Marcelline's. "I woke up and you were gone and I thought you went to the moon!"
Marcelline laughed softly, hugging her back.
"To the moon? Baby, if I went to the moon, I'd take you with me."
Mia pulled back just enough to pout.
"You didn't take me to the run…"
"Well," Marcelline said, smoothing Mia's bed-hair gently, "Auntie was restless last night and went too early. I didn't want to wake my sleeping princess."
Mia gasped dramatically, placing a tiny hand over her chest.
"I am not sleeping princess! I am sleeping LION!" She let out the softest, least-threatening "roar" ever heard.
Marcelline pretended to tremble.
"Oh no… a terrifying beast!"
Mia puffed out her cheeks proudly—until a real roar sounded behind them.
Leo, hearing the commotion, peeked around the corner and gave a soft, playful growl.
Mia's eyes widened.
"L-L-Liooon!!"
She buried her face into Marcelline's shoulder.
Marcelline stroked Mia's back soothingly.
"See? Even the big lion agrees you're a fierce, scary creature."
Mia peeked out at Leo with a shy grin.
Then—
"Where is Pancakes?" Mia demanded suddenly.
Marcelline blinked.
"…You mean the breakfast pancakes?"
"No! Pancakes!" Mia turned and pointed at Paradus, who had appeared silently behind them. "Kitty Pancakes!"
Paradius flattened his ears with an offended chirp.
Marcelline let out a helpless laugh.
"Sweetheart, his name is Paradus—"
"No," Mia insisted firmly, poking the panther's nose, "Pancakes."
Paradius sighed in defeat, resting his head dramatically on Marcelline's lap.
Marcelline kissed the top of Mia's head.
"Come on, love. Breakfast is waiting."
Mia's eyes sparkled.
"Okay! I eat with Auntie Elli!"
She took Marcelline's face in her tiny hands and gave two loud kisses on both cheeks—
"Muah! Muah!"
Then she pointed toward the dining room.
"Carry me!"
Marcelline smirked.
"You have legs, little one."
"I have SHORT legs." Mia declared proudly. "You tall. You carry."
Marcelline laughed, heart full to the brim, and lifted the tiny girl into her arms.
Together they walked back to the table—Mia holding tightly to Marcelline, Paradus sulking about his new nickname, and Leo following proudly like a giant golden bodyguard.
And when they entered the warm kitchen, Sister Florence and Amara looked up—
Both smiling.
Because the table finally felt whole again.
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Thank you for reading chapter 7. I am sleeping LION ...!!!
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